Swift and continuous phagocytosis of apoptotic cells can be achieved by modulation of calcium flux in phagocytes. However, the molecular mechanism by which apoptotic cells modulate calcium flux in phagocytes is incompletely understood. Here, using biophysical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, and genetic approaches, we show that apoptotic cells induced the Orai1-STIM1 interaction, leading to store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in phagocytes through the Mertk-phospholipase C (PLC) γ1-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) axis. Apoptotic cells induced calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum, which led to the Orai1-STIM1 association and, consequently, SOCE in phagocytes. This association was attenuated by masking phosphatidylserine. In addition, the depletion of Mertk, which indirectly senses phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells, reduced the phosphorylation levels of PLCγ1 and IP3R, resulting in attenuation of the Orai1-STIM1 interaction and inefficient SOCE upon apoptotic cell stimulation. Taken together, our observations uncover the mechanism of how phagocytes engulfing apoptotic cells elevate the calcium level.
